Sometimes skin cancer doesn’t look like skin cancer at all. Not every skin cancer is a dark, irregular mole. Some are pink, red or skin-colored, and some look like a shiny bump, a dry patch or a sore that never quite heals. Many cause no discomfort, which makes them easy to ignore.
The ABCDE warning signs (asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolving) are a helpful guide for checking moles. You can read more about them on our melanoma page. But not every skin cancer checks every box.
Some melanomas can be subtle. They may look like a harmless spot, resemble another type of skin growth, or even have very little color. That’s one reason regular skin checks and total body skin exams (TBSEs) are an important part of skin cancer detection.
And as fall arrives across Colorado, it’s a good time to give your skin some attention.
Spots That Are Easy to Dismiss
A shiny bump
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It can show up as a pearly or shiny bump, often on sun-exposed skin, and it usually grows slowly. Slow growth is one reason it’s easy to overlook.
A sore that won’t heal or keeps scabbing
Both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma can appear as a sore that won’t heal, a patch that crusts or scabs repeatedly, or a sore that bleeds. If a spot keeps coming back in the same place, it’s worth having it looked at.
A dry, scaly patch
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are precancerous spots caused mainly by long-term sun exposure. They can look like scaly patches, dry spots or small bumps in red, pink or brown. They usually appear on sun-exposed areas like the scalp, face, lips, ears and hands.
As Dr. Vinh Chung explains, only about 10% of AKs become cancer, but most squamous cell carcinomas begin as AKs. Learn more about actinic keratosis.
A pink or skin-colored spot
Skin cancer isn’t always brown or black. Some skin cancers are pink, red or skin-colored, and some melanomas have no brown pigment at all. These are called amelanotic melanomas.
Something that looks like a scar, cyst or harmless mole
According to Dr. Renata Prado, amelanotic melanomas can be mistaken for benign moles, scars or cysts. They can also resemble basal or squamous cell carcinoma, which can delay diagnosis. Read more in When a Melanoma Does Not Look Like a Melanoma.
A dark streak under a nail
Melanoma can appear under a nail as a dark streak. Dr. Prado notes that this needs to be evaluated by your dermatologist.
Check the Places You Don’t Usually Look
Melanoma can show up in spots that are easy to miss, including the scalp, behind the ears, the genitals and the soles of the feet. That’s one reason a head-to-toe exam by your dermatologist matters.
Watch for the “Ugly Duckling”
A helpful rule of thumb is the “ugly duckling” sign. A mole or spot that looks noticeably different from the rest of your spots should be evaluated, even if it doesn’t match the textbook picture of skin cancer.
Does Skin Cancer Hurt?
Some skin cancers itch, hurt or bleed, but many cause no discomfort at all. Changes in how a spot looks are often more important than how it feels.
When Should You Get a Spot Checked?
If you notice anything new, changing, bleeding or not healing, don’t wait for your next annual exam. Have it checked.
With our WOW Promise, if you have a concerning spot or growth, we’ll do our best to see you within one week.
Fall Is a Good Time for a Skin Check
Colorado’s high elevation means UV exposure is part of everyday life year-round, and people living at higher elevations face a greater risk of developing skin cancer. As summer winds down, fall is a natural reminder to schedule your total body skin exam. We recommend one every year. A TBSE gives your dermatologist an opportunity to look over your skin from head to toe and identify spots that may need closer evaluation.
If you’ve noticed a new or changing spot since your last appointment, don’t wait for your next annual exam to bring it up.
What Happens If a Spot Looks Concerning?
If your provider finds a suspicious spot, they may recommend a biopsy, where the tissue is examined under a microscope to see whether skin cancer is present and what type it is. Our dermatopathology team works alongside your dermatologist to get you answers. If treatment is needed, it depends on the type, location and size of the cancer.
Learn about treatment for basal and squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and Mohs surgery.
For certain non-melanoma skin cancers, Mohs surgery may be recommended. Mohs micrographic surgery is a specialized technique that removes cancerous tissue while examining the margins during the procedure. This allows the surgeon to confirm that the cancer has been removed while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
The important thing is getting a concerning spot evaluated in the first place.
Know Your Skin
You don’t need to become an expert in diagnosing skin cancer. In fact, that’s what your dermatologist is there for.
Get familiar with your skin so you can recognize when something changes. Pay attention to new spots, changing moles, sores that don’t heal, or anything that looks noticeably different from the rest of your skin.
And remember, not every unusual-looking spot is skin cancer. Many skin changes are harmless. A professional evaluation can provide answers and, when necessary, help identify skin cancer early.
This fall, make a skin check part of your routine. Whether you’re due for a TBSE or have a specific spot that’s been bothering you, don’t ignore a change simply because it doesn’t look like the typical picture of skin cancer.
Your skin may not always look like the textbook picture. That’s why it’s important to pay attention when something changes.
Schedule an appointment with Vanguard Skin Specialists
Frequently Asked Questions
Can skin cancer look like a scar?
Yes. Amelanotic melanomas, which have little or no pigment, can be mistaken for scars, cysts or harmless moles.
Is skin cancer always dark?
No. Some skin cancers are pink, red or skin-colored, and some melanomas have no brown pigment at all.
Can a dry, scaly patch be a precancer?
It can. Actinic keratoses often look like scaly patches or dry spots on sun-exposed skin, and most squamous cell carcinomas begin as AKs.
What if a sore won’t heal?
A sore that won’t heal, or a patch that crusts or scabs repeatedly, can be a sign of skin cancer. Have it checked by a dermatologist.
